Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China
8 journalers for this copy...
This book was a pretty fascinating read - a true story memoir of three generations of women in China - the author, her mother, and her grandmother, and the giant changes taking place in China during each of their lifetimes.
The scope of the book follows China from the Manchu empire, through the Communist revolution and rise to power, through Tiananmen Square and the present day. The changes are viewed not from a political textbook point of view, but through the lives of three women, involved in those changes to varying degrees.
The book was dense reading, it felt like an entertaining college course! I enjoyed it very much though.
It's available for loan or trade....
The scope of the book follows China from the Manchu empire, through the Communist revolution and rise to power, through Tiananmen Square and the present day. The changes are viewed not from a political textbook point of view, but through the lives of three women, involved in those changes to varying degrees.
The book was dense reading, it felt like an entertaining college course! I enjoyed it very much though.
It's available for loan or trade....
was reserved for lthj, but never responded to PM's
Hold for frybaby in trade for Artemis Fowl
Journal Entry 4 by MazieNH at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Friday, September 24, 2004
Released 19 yrs ago (9/24/2004 UTC) at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Mailed to frybaby 9/24 or 9/25 in trade for Artemis Fowl
Mailed to frybaby 9/24 or 9/25 in trade for Artemis Fowl
Got it today. Thanks!
Started but couldn't get into it.
Relayed to bookmaniac70 in Bulgaria. 12/29
Relayed to bookmaniac70 in Bulgaria. 12/29
Arrived in Sofia.Thanks for sending!
Taking with me on vacation.
Very impressive and sad document of a social experiment on an enormous scale. The lives of those three Chinese women were certainly worth of being preserved. I admired the courage and the strong characters of writer`s parents. Also I was very moved by the affection and kindness between the members of the family. I admit that generally,the book was a bit overburdened with details for me but I realize it adds to its documental and human value.
BOOKRAY LIST:
Tanamo,UK,int.
snapdragongirl- US, US or Canada
MaryZee- US,US/Canada
darkpunkangel- Canada,int.
Kiri- US,US shipping
Dawgmycat-US,US shipping
hopi100- US, int.
Important note:
The book is already travelling to UK. European participants can still join only if they are able to ship internationally. Sorry!
Tanamo,UK,int.
snapdragongirl- US, US or Canada
MaryZee- US,US/Canada
darkpunkangel- Canada,int.
Kiri- US,US shipping
Dawgmycat-US,US shipping
hopi100- US, int.
Important note:
The book is already travelling to UK. European participants can still join only if they are able to ship internationally. Sorry!
Journal Entry 11 by bookmaniac70 at Hinckley, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (9/3/2008 UTC) at Hinckley, Leicestershire United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sent to Tanamo.
Sent to Tanamo.
Journal Entry 12 by Tanamo from Hinckley, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Arrived safely today though the package was rather battered. I have some more ring books in the queue in front of this but I will get to it as soon as I can.
Not an easy read. I found the many cruelties mentioned in this book very distressing, be it the binding of feet, the behaviour of jealous relatives, the torture and oppression by invading organisations, not to mention the control exercised by Mao. There, but for the Grace of God, could have gone I. The West is not perfect but, particularly as a female, I am blessed to have been born in the UK. I admire the strength and tenanicty of all three women featured and, difficult though it is, all women should read this book.
Snapdragongirl has asked to be skipped so I will pm MaryZee for her address so I can get the book on its way once again.
Snapdragongirl has asked to be skipped so I will pm MaryZee for her address so I can get the book on its way once again.
Journal Entry 14 by Tanamo from Hinckley, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Mailed to MaryZee today.
Arrived safely today. It'll be a bit before I get started on this; my current read is rather sizeable. But it shouldn't be too long. I'll update here when I'm able to start on this one.
10/31 update - Starting on this one now.
10/31 update - Starting on this one now.
I certainly enjoyed reading this book, although I've been reading too many long books lately. Memoirs are one of my favorite genres of books. I'm not sure why I signed up for this one, either someone on BC recommended it, or I may have seen an entry on the Book-a-Day calendar. It's definitely a very good book, one I would recommend to anyone who wants to learn more about China during the Mao years.
This book was very interesting, in that it covered the time period from when women's feet were still being bound (horrible to think that was still happening in the 20th century!), through the Communist revolution until Mao died and more rights were restored to the citizens. I think the most shocking thing to me was the denunciations and torture that went on during the Cultural Revolution. It's hard to understand from our western viewpoint how people can spy and report on each other like this.
Thanks to everyone for sharing this wonderful book. I have Darkpunkangel's address and will be mailing this off in a few days.
Mailed to DarkPunkAngel on 11/13.
This book was very interesting, in that it covered the time period from when women's feet were still being bound (horrible to think that was still happening in the 20th century!), through the Communist revolution until Mao died and more rights were restored to the citizens. I think the most shocking thing to me was the denunciations and torture that went on during the Cultural Revolution. It's hard to understand from our western viewpoint how people can spy and report on each other like this.
Thanks to everyone for sharing this wonderful book. I have Darkpunkangel's address and will be mailing this off in a few days.
Mailed to DarkPunkAngel on 11/13.
This arrived safe and sound yesterday, I already started reading this any I'm enjoying it so far. Thanks for sending this MaryZee and bookmaniac70 for starting this ray.
I haven't had the time to get into this one so I'm going to pass this on to the next person today.
Journal Entry 19 by darkpunkangel at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Monday, January 26, 2009
Released 15 yrs ago (1/26/2009 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sent today to the next participant, hope you enjoy the book! Thanks bookmaniac70 for organizing this ray.
Sent today to the next participant, hope you enjoy the book! Thanks bookmaniac70 for organizing this ray.
TBR and on pile to be read asap! =)
Update 20 Feb 09 - Have read this and it is very interesting. Considering I have read several other Chinese biographies (including Pu Yi's) this offers a very interesting perspective on the period up until the end of the 1980's.
Have pm'd Dawgmycat for an address - waiting for that to send this along.
20 Feb 09 - pm'd Dawgmycat for her address
15 mar 09 - pm'd again as have not had a response from Dawgmycat yet.
28 Apr 09 - no response after repeated tries. Contacting ray mistress.
--
07 May 09 - pm'd hopi100 for address (not on rabck)
08 May 09 - address received from Hopi100 book now packaged and ready to go out! =)
Update 20 Feb 09 - Have read this and it is very interesting. Considering I have read several other Chinese biographies (including Pu Yi's) this offers a very interesting perspective on the period up until the end of the 1980's.
Have pm'd Dawgmycat for an address - waiting for that to send this along.
20 Feb 09 - pm'd Dawgmycat for her address
15 mar 09 - pm'd again as have not had a response from Dawgmycat yet.
28 Apr 09 - no response after repeated tries. Contacting ray mistress.
--
07 May 09 - pm'd hopi100 for address (not on rabck)
08 May 09 - address received from Hopi100 book now packaged and ready to go out! =)
Journal Entry 21 by Kiri at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Friday, May 8, 2009
Released 15 yrs ago (5/9/2009 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Onto Hopi100!
Onto Hopi100!
This just arrived today, after a long journey (was postmarked May 9!). Thanks so much! I can't wait to get started! :)
